Animal enclosure and door assembly

ABSTRACT

An animal enclosure includes a kennel body and a door assembly. The door assembly includes a door frame and a door pivotally attached to the door frame. The door frame is secured to the kennel body at an opening. The door is moveable between an open and a closed position. The door includes a first latch having a first latch bolt engaging the door frame at a first latch location. The door also includes a second latch having a second latch bolt engaging the door frame at a second latch location. The door also includes a third latch having a third latch bolt engaging the door frame at a third latch location. In some embodiments, the first latch bolt extends horizontally toward the door frame, and the second and third latch bolts extend substantially vertically from the door toward the door frame in opposite directions.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/427,037 filed Feb. 7, 2017 entitled ANIMAL ENCLOSURE AND DOORASSEMBLY, which is a continuation of co-pending U.S. Design patentapplication Ser. No. 29/539,652 filed Sep. 16, 2015 entitled ANIMALCRATE DOOR, of which is herein incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains materialthat is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has noobjection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patentdisclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patentfile or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to structures for housinganimals and more particularly to portable pet kennels and pet crates. Insome embodiments, the present invention relates to portable pet cratesfor housing or transporting dogs.

Various types of structural enclosures for storing and transportinganimals are known in the art. Conventional portable animal crates suchas those used for housing and transporting dogs typically include aplastic or metal wire construction and include an interior enclosurewith a selectively openable door. Conventional portable animal cratesgenerally include a single-layer construction such as a single layer ofplastic, metal or wire mesh. The single-layer material forms thestructural support and also defines the enclosure space within theinterior of the crate. Conventional single-layer animal crates of thistype are generally sized to easily fit in the bed of a truck or thecargo area of a sport-utility vehicle, and such crates are often used bysportsmen, disabled persons, rescue, military and/or law enforcementpersonnel for storing and transporting dogs. Such conventional portableanimal crates provide a benefit of being relatively lightweight andportable such that a single person can lift and move the crate.Additionally, these types of conventional animal crates are generallysized to accommodate only the animal or animals to be housed within,thereby enhancing the portable nature of the product.

One problem with conventional animal crates is the door. Traditionaldoors for portable animal crates often include a spring-loaded latchthat includes one or more posts that extend through a corresponding holein the crate. Conventional doors for animal crates are also hingedbetween opposing posts on the opposite side of the door from the latchdirectly to the crate wall. Such conventional animal crate doors areoften difficult to open and close, are susceptible to breakage duringuse, and are insufficient to retain an animal in the crate during anaccident or during transport.

What is needed, then, are improvements to animal enclosures andspecifically door assemblies for animal enclosures to address these andother problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in asimplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This Summary is not intended to identify key features oressential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended tobe used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subjectmatter.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides an animal enclosure havingnumerous features to address one or more of the problems noted above.

Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an animal enclosurehaving a door assembly including a kennel body and a door frame attachedto the kennel body. A door is pivotally attached to the door frame, andthe door is moveable relative to the door frame and kennel body betweena closed position and an open position. The door includes a first latchhaving a first latch bolt engaging the door frame, a second latch havinga second latch bolt engaging the door frame, and a third latch having athird latch bolt engaging the door frame.

A feature of the animal enclosure includes a first latch that may beused to open and close the door relative to the door frame and kennelbody, and second and third auxiliary latches that may be used to secureor lock the door relative to the frame when the door is in a closedposition.

Yet another feature of the animal enclosure includes spacing between thefirst, second and third latches such that the first latch engages thelatch side frame section of the door frame, the second latch engages thetop frame section of the door frame, and the third latch engages thebottom frame section of the door frame. By providing three latchlocations on the door frame, the door may be securely locked in a closedposition when transporting an animal inside the enclosure.

A further aspect of the present disclosure provides an animal enclosurehaving a kennel body including an upper housing member and a lowerhousing member. The upper and lower housing members each include adouble-walled construction including an inner wall forming a portion ofthe enclosure shaped to house the animal and an outer wall at leastpartially surrounding the inner wall, with a gap defined between theinner and outer wall. A door opening is defined at a first end of thekennel body between the upper and lower housing members, and a rear wallis defined at a second end of the kennel body opposite the door opening.A door frame is disposed on the kennel body at the door opening. A dooris disposed on the door frame, and the door is pivotally attached to thedoor frame and is moveable between a closed position and an openposition. The door includes a first latch having a first latch boltengaging the door frame, a second latch including a second latch boltengaging the door frame, and a third latch including a third latch boltengaging the door frame.

Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the presentdisclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon areview of the following drawings and description of a preferredembodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurehaving a door in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an animal enclosurehaving a door opening.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a door forattachment to a door frame in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a door assembly inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a door assembly with adoor in an open position in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of a door assembly inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of an embodiment of a door assembly inaccordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a door frame for usewith a door assembly in accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of an embodiment of a door assemblyin accordance with the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While the making and using of various embodiments of the presentinvention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated thatthe present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts thatare embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specificembodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways tomake and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of theinvention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerousequivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Suchequivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention andare covered by the claims.

In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing,for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,”“lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when inthe orientation shown in the drawing, or as otherwise described. Aperson of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assumedifferent orientations when in use.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of an animal enclosure apparatus10 is shown. The size and shape of kennel 10 allows kennel 10 to beeasily transported from a residence or building to a vehicle or othermode of transportation. Additionally, in some embodiments, kennel 10 isportable and is shaped and sized to comply with one or more regulationsfor traveling with pets on commercial airlines.

The animal enclosure apparatus 10, kennel, or animal crate, includes akennel body having an upper housing member 12 and a lower housing member14 in some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. In otherembodiments, animal enclosure apparatus 10 includes a kennel body formedas a single piece.

In some embodiments, animal enclosure 10 includes a door opening 16 asshown in FIG. 2. Door opening 16 provides an opening for allowinganimals to enter and exit the animal enclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, adoor assembly 18 is disposed in door opening 16. The door assembly 18includes a door frame 20 and a door 22 mounted on the door frame at apivoting door hinge 24. The door frame 22 may be secured to the kennelbody 12, 14 at the door opening 16 using one or more door framefasteners 30, shown in FIG. 2. During use, the door 22 may be opened andclosed relative to the kennel body and door frame 20. Door 22 ispivotally attached to door frame 20, and the door frame 20 staysattached to the kennel body via one or more door frame fasteners 30 asthe door 22 is opened and closed.

Door 22 is moveable between a closed position, as seen in FIG. 1 and anopen position, as seen in FIG. 7. Door 22 may be secured in the closedposition using one or more latches. For example, as seen in FIG. 1, doorassembly 18 includes a door 22 having a first latch 26, a second latch36, and a third latch 56. Each latch provides an engagement between thedoor 22 and the door frame 20 to secure the door in a closed position.By releasing first latch 26, second latch 36 and third latch 56, a usermay open door 22 to allow an animal to enter or exit the animalenclosure 10. A user may utilize only one latch, two latches or allthree latches to secure the door 22 in a closed position. Each latch isgenerally moveable between a locked position and an unlocked position.

As shown in FIG. 3, in some embodiments, the door assembly 18 includes adoor frame 20 and a door 22 mounted on door frame 20 via a pivotinghinge 24. Door 22 is angularly moveable relative to door frame 20 abouthinge 24. First latch 26 includes a first latch handle 32 that a usermay grasp to activate first latch 26. First latch handle 32 may includeany suitable control for activating first latch 26, such as but notlimited to a knob or a lever. Similarly, second latch 36 includes asecond latch handle 42 that a user may grasp to activate second latch36. Second latch handle may include any suitable control for activatingsecond latch 36, such as but not limited to a knob or a lever. Thirdlatch 56 includes a third latch handle 62 that a user may grasp toactivate third latch 56. Third latch handle 62 may include any suitablecontrol for activating third latch 56, such as but not limited to a knobor a lever.

As shown in FIG. 4, each latch includes a corresponding bolt thatengages the door frame to secure the latch in a closed position. Forexample, first latch 26 includes a first latch bolt 34 that extends backand forth from the door toward the door frame when the first latch 26 isactivated by a user. First latch bolt 34 extends and retracts in asubstantially horizontal orientation in some embodiments. Second latch36 includes a second latch bolt 44 extending back and forth from door 22relative to the frame when the second latch 36 is activated by a user.Second latch bolt 44 extends and retracts in a substantially verticalorientation in some embodiments. Third latch 56 includes a third latchbolt 54 extending back and forth from the door 22 toward the door framewhen the third latch 56 is activated by a user. Third latch bolt 54extends and retracts in a substantially vertical orientation in someembodiments. Additionally, in some embodiments, second latch bolt 44 andthird latch bolt 54 each extend and retract along a common verticalreference axis, and first latch bolt 34 extends and retracts along asubstantially horizontal reference axis perpendicular to the verticalreference axis in some embodiments.

Each latch includes a latch handle that a user can grasp to operate thelatch. As shown in FIG. 5, an exemplary embodiment of a second latch 36includes a second latch handle 42. Second latch handle 42 extends fromthe face of door 22 and provides a structure for a user to manipulate toactivate second latch 36. In this embodiment, second latch handle 42includes a knob that is moveable up and down along a second latch trackdefined in door 22. Second latch handle 42 operates second latch bolt 44between an unlocked position and a locked position, as seen in FIG. 6.In the locked position, second latch bolt 44 engages door frame 20 at asecond latch location 38. Second latch location 38 is defined along topframe section 70 on frame 22 in some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 6,second latch bolt 44 slides upwardly toward frame 20, when second latchhandle 42 is operated while the door 22 is in a closed position. Secondlatch bolt 44 may be slid into a local opening, or second latch recess50, defined in frame 20. Second latch recess 50 defines a space shapedto accommodate a portion of second latch bolt 44. When second latch bolt44 is received in second latch recess 50, second latch bolt 44interferes mechanically with frame 20 in the event door 22 is attemptedto be opened. In this capacity, second latch bolt 44 operates as a lockto prevent door 22 from being opened relative to frame 20. When secondlatch 36 is released by sliding second latch handle 42 away from frame20, second latch bolt 44 retracts from second latch recess 50 and movesto an unlocked position. Second latch 36 may be operated independentlyof first latch 26 and third latch 56.

As seen in FIG. 7, additional latches may be positioned on the door 22.For example, third latch 56 includes a third latch bolt 54 protrudingfrom door 22 toward frame 20. As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, an exemplaryembodiment of a third latch 56 includes a third latch handle 62. Thirdlatch handle 62 extends from the face of door 22 and provides astructure for a user to manipulate to activate third latch 56. In thisembodiment, third latch handle 62 includes a knob that is moveable upand down along a third latch track defined in door 22. Third latchhandle 62 operates third latch bolt 54 between an unlocked position anda locked position, as seen in FIG. 13. In the locked position, thirdlatch bolt 54 engages door frame 20 at a third latch location 58. Thirdlatch location 58 is defined along bottom frame section 72 on frame 22in some embodiments. As shown in FIG. 13, third latch bolt 54 slidesdownwardly toward frame 20, when third latch handle 62 is operated whilethe door 22 is in a closed position. Third latch bolt 54 may be slidinto a local opening, or third latch recess 60, defined in frame 20.Third latch recess 60 defines a space shaped to accommodate a portion ofthird latch bolt 54. When third latch bolt 54 is received in third latchrecess 60, third latch bolt 54 interferes mechanically with frame 20 inthe event door 22 is attempted to be opened. In this capacity, thirdlatch bolt 54 operates as a lock to prevent door 22 from being openedrelative to frame 20. When third latch 56 is released by sliding thirdlatch handle 62 away from frame 20, third latch bolt 54 retracts fromthird latch recess 60 and moves to an unlocked position. Third latch 56may be operated independently of first latch 26 and second latch 36.

In some embodiments, it is suitable to use first latch 26 as the onlylatch to secure door 22 in a closed position relative to door frame 20.A user may selectively open first latch 26, causing first latch bolt 34to disengage from door frame 22 or from a strike plate 78 on door frame20. A user may then close door 22 using only first latch 26 and firstlatch bolt 34 to engage a corresponding first latch location on doorframe 22 or strike plate 78.

However, in other applications it is beneficial for door 22 to be moresecurely latched to frame 22 at more than one location to prevent door22 from inadvertently opening during use. For example, whiletransporting an animal inside the enclosure 10 it is desirable toinclude multiple latches between door 22 and door frame 20 to achieve abetter engagement between door 22 and frame 20. As shown in FIG. 8, insome embodiments the placement of the first latch 26, second latch 36and third latch 56 provides an improved securement between the door 22and door frame 20.

As shown in FIGS. 8-11, in some embodiments, door frame 20 includes ahoop-shaped structure including a top frame section 70 positioned alongthe top edge of the door frame, a bottom frame section 72 positionedalong the bottom edge of the door frame, a latch side frame section 74positioned on the side of the door frame where first latch 26 engagesthe door frame, and a hinge side frame section 76 positioned on the sideof the door frame where the hinge between the door and the door frame islocated. In some embodiments, first latch 26 includes a first latch bolt34 engaging the door frame 22 at a first latch location 28 on the latchside frame section 74. The second latch 36 includes a second latch bolt44 engaging the door frame 22 at a second latch location 38 on the topframe section 70. The third latch 56 includes a third latch bolt 54engaging the door frame 22 at a third latch location 58 on the bottomframe section 72. In some configurations, first latch bolt 34 isequidistant between the second latch bolt 44 and the third latch bolt54.

First latch 26 includes a first latch bolt 34 that is moveable between alocked position and an unlocked position. When first latch bolt 34 is ina locked, or closed, position, first latch bolt 34 engages acorresponding structure on frame 20 at first latch location 28. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 11, a first latch recess 40 is defined inframe 20. First latch recess 40 defines a space where first latch bolt34 is received when first latch 26 is in a locked position. As such,when door 22 is closed relative to frame 22, first latch bolt 34 extendspartially into first latch recess 40 and provides a mechanicalinterference with frame 20 in the event door 22 is pushed or pulled,thereby keeping door 22 in a closed position. When first latch 26 ismanipulated by a user to an open, or unlocked, position, first latchbolt 34 retracts from first latch recess 40 and allows door 22 to beopened relative to frame 20.

In some embodiments, a strike plate 78 is positioned on frame 20. Strikeplate 78 includes a flat plate having a central opening. First latchbolt 34 partially extends through the central opening in strike plate 78to achieve an engagement suitable to hold door 22 in a closed positionrelative to frame 20.

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, door assembly 18 is oriented such thatthe first latch 26 is generally oriented on the right hand side of theanimal enclosure 10 when viewing the animal enclosure 10 from the front.When oriented in this configuration, the door 22 and frame 20 arepositioned in an upright orientation as seen in FIG. 3 with first latch26 on the right side and hinge 24 on the left side of the kennel body.Because first latch bolt 34, second latch bolt 44 and third latch bolt54 all engage frame 20, none of the latch bolt engagements require aspecific engagement location on the kennel body around the perimeter ofopening 16. As such, the door assembly 18 of the present disclosure maybe rotated one-hundred-eighty degrees such that first latch 26 is on theleft side of door assembly 18 for mounting on the kennel body, as shownin FIG. 9 and FIG. 10. This unique feature of the door assembly 18allows the door assembly 18 to retain three latch locations in withfirst latch 26 on the right side for a right hand open as shown in FIG.1 or on the left side for a left hand open as shown in FIG. 10.

In some embodiments, first latch 26 includes a biasing member such thatfirst latch bolt 34 is biased toward first latch recess 40 when door 22is in a closed position. Additionally, second and third latches 36, 56are not biased in either an open or closed configuration in someembodiments. For example, when second latch 36 is in an unlockedposition, second latch bolt 44 is fully retracted from second latchrecess 50, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. If a user engages second latchhandle 42 and presses it toward frame 20, then second latch bolt 44travels toward and enters second latch recess 50, placing second latch36 in a locked position. Second latch 36 will remain in a lockedposition until a user manually engages second latch handle 42 and slidesit away from frame 20, retracting second latch bolt 44 from second latchrecess 50, and placing second latch 36 back in an unlocked position.

Similarly, when third latch 56 is in an unlocked position, third latchbolt 54 is fully retracted from third latch recess 60. If a user engagesthird latch handle 62 and presses it toward frame 20, then third latchbolt 54 travels toward and enters third latch recess 60, placing thirdlatch 56 in a locked position. Third latch 56 will remain in a lockedposition until a user manually engages third latch handle 62 and slidesit away from frame 20, retracting third latch bolt 54 from third latchrecess 60, an placing third latch 56 back in an unlocked position.

Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of thepresent invention of a new and useful ANIMAL ENCLOSURE AND DOORASSEMBLY, it is not intended that such references be construed aslimitations upon the scope of this invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An animal enclosure apparatus, comprising: akennel body including an upper housing member and a lower housingmember; a door opening defined between the upper and lower housingmembers; a door frame disposed on the kennel body at the door opening,the door frame secured to the upper and lower housing members; a doordisposed on the door frame, wherein the door is pivotally attached tothe door frame and is moveable relative to the door frame between aclosed position and an open position; a first latch disposed on thedoor, the first latch including a first latch handle and a first latchbolt, the first latch bolt extending from the door toward the door frameand engaging the door frame at a first latch location when the door isin the closed position, wherein the first latch handle is operable tomove the first latch bolt relative to the door frame; a second latchdisposed on the door, the second latch including a second latch boltengaging the door frame at a second latch location different from thefirst latch location, wherein the second latch bolt is selectivelymoveable between a locked and an unlocked position; and a third latchdisposed on the door, the third latch including a third latch boltengaging the door frame at a third latch location different from thefirst and second latch Attorney Docket No. 029973.13186 Customer No.104982 locations, wherein the third latch bolt is selectively moveablebetween a locked and an unlocked position.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1,further comprising a first latch recess defined in the door frame at thefirst latch location.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the firstlatch bolt protrudes into the first latch recess when the door is in theclosed position.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising asecond latch recess defined in the door frame at the second latchlocation.
 5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the second latch boltprotrudes into the second latch recess when the second latch bolt is inits locked position.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the secondlatch bolt is fully retracted from the second latch recess when thesecond latch bolt is in its unlocked position.
 7. The apparatus of claim5, further comprising a third latch recess defined in the door frame atthe third latch location.
 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the thirdlatch bolt protrudes into the third latch recess when the third latchbolt is in its locked position.
 9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein thethird latch bolt is fully retracted from the third latch recess when thethird latch bolt is in its unlocked position.
 10. The apparatus of claim8, further comprising a strike plate disposed on the door frame, whereinthe first latch bolt engages the strike plate when the door is in theclosed position.
 11. A door assembly apparatus for an animal enclosure,comprising: a door frame including a top frame section, a bottom framesection, a latch side frame section between the top and bottom framemembers, and a hinge side frame section between the top and bottom framesections opposite the latch side frame section; a door pivotallyattached to the door frame on the hinge side frame section, wherein thedoor is moveable relative to the frame between an open position and aclosed position; a first latch on the door, the first latch including afirst latch handle and a first latch bolt, wherein the first latch boltengages the door frame at a first latch location; a second latch on thedoor, the second latch including a second latch handle and a secondlatch bolt, wherein the second latch engages the door frame at a secondlatch location different from the first latch location; a third latch onthe door, the third latch including a third latch handle and a thirdlatch bolt, wherein the third latch engages the door frame at a thirdlatch location different from the first and second latch locations. 12.The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first latch location is on latchside frame section of the door frame.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12,wherein the second latch location is on the top frame section of thedoor frame.
 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the third latchlocation is on the bottom frame section of the door frame.
 15. Theapparatus of claim 14, wherein the first latch bolt extends toward theframe in a substantially horizontal orientation.
 16. The apparatus ofclaim 15, wherein the second and third latch bolts extend toward theframe in a substantially vertical orientation.
 17. An animal enclosure,comprising: a kennel body defining an opening; a door assembly includinga door frame attached to the kennel body at the opening and a doorpivotally attached to the door frame, the door moveable between an openposition and a closed position; a first latch disposed on the door, thefirst latch including a first latch bolt extending toward the doorframe; a first latch recess defined in the door frame, the first latchrecess positioned to partially receive the first latch bolt when thedoor is in the closed position; a second latch disposed on the door, thesecond latch including a second latch bolt extending toward the doorframe, the second latch bolt moveable between a locked and an unlockedposition; a second latch recess defined in the door frame, the secondlatch recess positioned to partially receive the second latch bolt whenthe second latch bolt is in the locked position; a third latch disposedon the door, the third latch including a third latch bolt extendingtoward the door frame, the third latch bolt moveable between a lockedand an unlocked position; and a third latch recess defined in the doorframe, the third latch recess positioned to partially receive the thirdlatch bolt when the third latch bolt is in the locked position.
 18. Theapparatus of claim 17, wherein the first latch bolt is biased toward thedoor frame.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18, further comprising: a firstlatch handle disposed on the door, the first latch handle connected tothe first latch bolt and operable to manipulate the first latch bolttoward and away from the first latch recess; a second latch handledisposed on the door connected to the second latch bolt, the secondlatch handle operable to manipulate the second latch bolt toward andaway from the second latch recess; and a third latch handle disposed onthe door connected to the third latch bolt, the third latch handleoperable to manipulate the third latch bolt toward and away from thethird latch recess.